How safe are intramedullary stainless-steel nails for long bone fractures?
Abstract
Femoral and tibial fractures are usually the result of high-energy trauma such as road traffic accidents, fall from heights and trauma in high-speed contact sports. Most femoral and tibial shaft fractures are treated surgically. Several studies have shown that early surgical stabilization is associated with reduction of complications and mortality. An intramedullary nail is a metal rod that is inserted into the medullary cavity of a bone and across the fracture in order to provide a solid support for the fractured bone. Intramedullary nailing is currently considered the “gold standard” for treatment of femoral and tibial shaft fractures. Proposed advantages of intramedullary nailing include short hospital stay, rapid union of the fracture and early functional use of the limb. Intramedullary nailing aims to preserve the anatomical structure of fracture site and to provide a proper environment for fracture healing. The present case report further enlightens the safe use of Intramedullary nailing for long bone fracture.
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